Choosing The Right SBC for Your Application

Selecting the right single board computer (SBC) for your application is just that; it’s not selecting the board that the vendor thinks is best for you because he’s got extra inventory or just got a new developer that needs the work. It’s finding the board with the right peripheral mix, the right OS choices, and frankly, a vendor you’re comfortable with, among other aspects.

By integrating compute, I/O, connectivity, storage, and other requisite components, these off-the-shelf SBCs constitute the starting point for just about any industrial system design. Many SBC standards have emerged over the years that offer a host of enhancements, from decreasing component size while maximizing functionality in ever smaller form factors. At the same time, these standards provide investment protection and time-to-market advantages for these embedded hardware platforms.

Selecting the right one for your application requires an in-depth look at available options. In addition to size, bus and architectural support, and compatibility with other form factors, certain standards are better suited to environmental requirements than others. Let’s take a look at three popular SBC standard families, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each, those being 3.5-in., ITX, and PC/104.

The PX1-C415 SBC is built to the PC/104 form factor but can be expanded thanks to the PCIe/104 OneBank standard.

For those unfamiliar with the industry, a single board computer is pretty much what it sounds like, a mostly self-contained computing system that’s packaged with other necessary components, like storage, power, cooling, etc. However, there is a breadth of choices to make starting with the processor architecture. While a range of x86-based SBCs have dominated the landscape for the past 20ish years, ARM-based models and (Graphics Processing Units) (GPU) specific solutions are becoming more prevalent. Their presence is usually dictated by application needs as well as engineering familiarity.

Other factors that weigh in on the choice of an SBC include size, environmental rating, bus/architecture support, and strength/longevity of the ecosystem. The choice is an important one, as selecting the right standard from the start enables technology scaling and reuse over long application lifecycles.

The SBC35-C398Q quad-core SBC is designed to the 3.5-in. form factor.

Let’s start with a look at the 3.5-in. SBC class. Bear in mind that while the physical form factor of various 3.5-in. boards is the same, there may not be much else that’s “standard.” The I/O, peripherals, and bus architecture must be mapped out and reviewed thoroughly beforehand when using this class to ensure forward and backward compatibility. Also, many 3.5-in. SBCs aren’t rated for commercial (or industrial) applications due to their shock/vibe/temperature specifications.

Here, there is generally a robust choice of ARM- or x86-based models to choose from, including WinSystems’ SBC35-C398Q quad-core SBC that’s based on an NXP i.MX 6Q microprocessor. It combines high-performance multimedia graphics with a rich mix of industrial I/O. It can operate from -40° to +85°C without the need for active cooling. On the x86 side, WinSystems offers its SBC35-C427, an SBC that’s built with Intel’s Apollo Lake-I E3900 series processor. The board boasts a combination of off-the-shelf functionality with multiple expansion and configuration options.

The ITX SBC standard has its origins in commercial products like set-top boxes. This could make temperature ratings a key factor, depending on the application. Note that most modern ITX variants don’t support older buses like PCI or ISA, which can be problematic in environments with a mix of new and legacy equipment.

Options for ITX can range from small to large, taking in the Pico-ITX, Nano-ITX, and Femto-ITX form factors. One example is the WinSystems’ ITX-N-3900, a NANO-ITX SBC based on Intel’s Atom E3900 Apollo Lake processor family. It uses less than 12 W for fanless applications and operates in the industrial temperature range (-40º to +85ºC). It supports Linux, Windows, and other x86-compatible RTOSs.

Finally, there’s the PC/104 family of SBCs. While PC/104 itself is somewhat rigid, this deficiency, if you can call it that, can be remedied by some of the “migrated” standards, like PC/104-Plus or PCIe/104. PC/104 also offers a scalable migration path in terms of interconnect technologies, as it supports ISA/PCI, as well as Ethernet and PCIe. This helps in transitioning legacy environments to IoT applications.

An example of this migration can be seen in WinSystems’ PCM-C418, PPM-C407, PX1-C415 SBCs. The first is a PC/104 form factor featuring small size, low power, a rugged design, and an extended temperature range. The second, in a PC/104-Plus form factor, adds some flexibility by featuring a low-power single-core processor or higher performing dual- or quad-core solution, all from Intel’s E3800 family of Atom microprocessors. Finally, the PX1-C415 SBC offers PCIe/104 OneBank expansion, featuring the Atom E3900 series of processors.

While there are obviously varying degrees of standardization, the further you stray, the more difficult it is to make changes later. A desired expansion card or module may or make not operate properly if you bend the rules, even slightly in some cases. Experienced engineers know that it’s the application that must dictate the proper path. Questions? Contact us.

How does a world-class provider of rugged embedded computer systems prepare for its 37th year in business?

By making major investments in its people and capabilities, accelerating the introduction of new products, and reintroducing itself with a brand-new visual identity that reflects its dynamic growth and industry leadership.

WINSYSTEMS stands on nearly four decades of proven expertise in the design and manufacture of rugged, high-reliability embedded computer systems. This has prompted increasing demand for our high-quality single board computers, I/O cards, touch-panel PCs and embedded computer systems. Our clients’ No. 1 imperative is designing winning features and software for high-performance, long-enduring industrial products and speeding them to market. They trust us to provide the technical guidance and worry-free embedded computing systems their projects require.

Proactive, significant investments underway

As a result, WINSYSTEMS is investing in personnel, facilities, expanded engineering, and manufacturing capabilities to stay ahead of the growth curve and meet client demand for our products. We fully understand the risks and challenges associated with bringing new products to market and are ideally qualified to guide our clients in selecting the optimal embedded computer systems for their product goals.

Over the last couple of years, WINSYSTEMS has put in place the senior leadership and business processes required to attain our goal of becoming a $30-$50 million company. We’re accelerating the pace of product innovation and development while making inroads in more industrial markets. And, we are making a major physical move: relocating to a new, much larger corporate campus by late 2019.

George Hilliard, WINSYSTEMS’ technical sales director, added that product launches will continue at a fast clip in 2019. These will include more and smaller sizes of single board computers, new data acquisition modules and more networking options. The company will introduce a line of industrial Ethernet switches, representing an all-new product category for WINSYSTEMS. And, product designers can look forward to the continued evolution of packaged solutions and CPU technologies to support their novel product designs.

“What’s exciting is how customers are using our expanding portfolio as proven building blocks to make their products successful without having to become embedded computing experts themselves,” Hilliard said. “Being able to focus on their unique product design elements enables design engineers to get their products to market more quickly, with lower development costs and less stress. WINSYSTEMS’ hardware, software and mechanical engineers have already mastered the unique challenges of designing for small, highly reliable embedded solutions – from CPU and power supply to sensing and control considerations.”

Aligning WINSYSTEMS’ identity with its industry status

Over the last several months, WINSYSTEMS has also undergone a visual brand transformation to more accurately align with its dynamic internal advancement. This new rebranding was undertaken to elevate the company’s visual presence and messaging in order to reflect its quickening pace of growth, accomplishment and product innovation. Our new brand identity clearly signifies WINSYSTEMS’ well-earned status and reputation as the preferred, industry-leading solutions provider of embedded computer systems.

WINSYSTEMS

INDUSTRIAL EMBEDDED COMPUTER SYSTEMS

A new site early in the new year

Our new logo has just made its initial public appearance on our current website and in our 2019 calendar. The big reveal occurs with the debut of the all-new WINSYSTEMS.com, which will go live by mid-February. Not only will our revamped website visually project the company’s dynamic new brand identity, it will provide an enhanced, more efficient visitor experience for greater ease of use and more intuitive navigation.

The new site will enable visitors to search for products by name, industry and technology. And, it will accommodate the increasing velocity of new-product introductions across multiple categories. It will continue to include valuable resources and news as well as refreshed content. Equally important, the new WINSYSTEMS.com will be fully responsive and mobile-friendly, so users can find and do what they need from anywhere via any device – desktop, tablet or smartphone.

We will further unveil our new brand identity while exhibiting at Embedded World 2019 in Nuremburg, Germany, February 26-28, 2019. As we look forward to the next chapter in WINSYSTEMS’ history and our upcoming move to a new corporate campus, we are excited to reintroduce ourselves as the company we are proud to have become.

The SYS-ITX-P-3800 can be easily mounted in tight spaces, thanks to its compact aluminum enclosure. It also provides the flexibility to create unique designs through easy-to-use expansion and configuration settings. This extremely small embedded computing platform incorporates an impressive array of features, including dual Ethernet and abundant I/O options. These include four USB 2.0 host ports, VGA and a serial port. Expansion capability is provided via one full-size and one half-size Mini-Card slot.

The proven design of this versatile small form factor computer – backed by the expertise and responsiveness of WinSystems’ engineering team – supports customers developing novel embedded and IIoT product solutions. The SYS-ITX-P-3800 is specifically built to perform dependably in applications that require extended product life cycles. It is designed for an operating temperature range of -20ºC to +70ºC and has the durability required for harsh operating environments.

REDUCE PRODUCT-DEVELOPMENT RISK AND TIME TO MARKET

By relying on WinSystems’ expertise in embedded computer design and manufacturing, customers can be confident their products are designed using the best solution for the specific design. The company’s single board computers and embedded systems are backed by world-class customer service and responsive technical support from knowledgeable application engineers at every step of the process.

ARLINGTON, Texas – October 18, 2018 – Industrial embedded computer innovator WinSystems today introduced its next-generation computing platform in the Nano-ITX form factor. The ITX-N-3900provides a complete system that can be readily expanded and configured for diverse applications requiring an extended product life and high reliability under extreme operating temperatures. The 4.27 inch (120 mm) square footprint features an onboard Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0-compliant chipset and four USB 3.1 host ports, along with a truly functional I/O set.

It’s all about the operational environment

An industrial computer is a computing platform that has been ruggedized for specific industrial applications that must function in sometimes harsh environments. Its computing capabilities are generally similar to an equivalent commercial PC in terms of storage, processing and communications. However, industrial computers are often designed to use less power, offer greater reliability, expandability and a significantly longer service life than commercial systems. This analysis of commercial vs. industrial computers discusses the following areas:

Applications

Environment

Footprint

Longevity

Power consumption

Operating systems

I/O

Applications

Commercial computers are typically used in an office environment, while industrial embedded computers are often used in energy management applications such as solar power and wind generators. Industrial automation is another common application for industrial computers, especially robotics and manufacturing control. Other applications that commonly use industrial computers include industrial IoT, transportation management, medical equipment, aerospace, unmanned vehicles and digital signage.

Environment

Commercial computers are generally designed to operate in a clean office environment within a relatively narrow operating temperature range and low humidity. Industrial computers must be rugged, reliable and resilient—able to tolerate much greater operating temperature range, be resistant to moisture, corrosive substances, dirt and dust, shocks and vibrations. Physical locations can range from factory floors to outdoors–including under sea, ground, air and space environments.

Consistent performance in challenging environments is a primary consideration for industrial computers. Commercial computers are typically rated for a maximum ambient temperature of 30 to 35 degrees Celsius, where industrial computers should be able to operate at temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius. In addition to using higher quality components, some industrial computers also incorporate a number of components specifically designed to increase their reliability in hot operating conditions. These features include solid-state drives (SSDs), soldered-on memory modules and fanless operation.

Industrial computers must also be able to operate in conditions with more heat, dirt and humidity than a commercial computer. In comparison, commercial computers operate in a typical office environment that’s relatively free of dust and humidity, use more power and require fans to control heat.

Many industrial environments are subject to flying parts and continual vibrations caused by powered machinery, so industrial computers must be physically rugged, and are sometimes installed within a steel or aluminum enclosure for added protection. Commercial computers found in desktops, laptops or indoor kiosks only require basic enclosures of plastic or lightweight metal to protect internal components from damage and generally don’t have any ratings at all for shock and vibrations, whereas industrial computers typically have specific ratings for these factors. A common shock tolerance for industrial computers is 5 g, with a vibration tolerance of 0.5 g.

Footprint

Commercial computers are typically housed in standalone cases of various sizes, whereas industrial computers can be found in various form factors ranging from a 19-inch rackmount motherboard down to 2-inch x 2-inch embedded single board computers.

Longevity

Commercial computers are frequently built under the assumption they will be replaced in the near future (two to three years), and possibly as soon as the next model is available. Industrial computers are designed to remain in use for five to 10 years, and sometimes longer. Extended service life cuts down on maintenance, lowers the total cost of operation and minimizes risk due to failure. The circuit boards and associated components in these computers are of a much higher quality than those found in commercial computers.

The structure of commercial computers is typically composed of plastic and other lightweight materials that degrade in a relatively short period of time. In comparison, an industrial computer is built from much harder materials such as high-grade steel and aluminum. The capacitors and other electronic components are similarly of higher quality, further extending their life span. Industrial computers also have a much greater capacity for expansion and upgrades, with a higher number of slots and ports than commercial computers.

Power Consumption

Industrial computers are sometimes located remotely from a direct power source. Some depend on batteries alone, some use a combination of batteries and solar power, and some access power over Ethernet. They therefore need to use less power than commercial computers without sacrificing performance or functionality. Embedded processors such as Intel’s Atom™ and NXP’s I.MX6 use the latest advancements in low-power technology to minimize their power consumption while reducing heat generation.

Commercial computers have power management functions such as ACPI and OnNow built into the BIOS and OS. These functions cause the OS to sleep or the hard drive to spin down when the computer is inactive, which occurs frequently with commercial computers. However, they tend to interfere with the required operation of industrial computers, which must activate almost instantly from sleep or remain in constant operation.

Operating Systems

Commercial computers typically run the latest OS such as Windows 10, Apple’s OSX, Chrome or Android, depending on the type of machine. These OS are designed to run commercially available applications that are in turn periodically updated.

Industrial computers typically run an OS such as Windows 10, Windows IoT, Windows IoT Core or Linux, and sometimes a custom OS. They often run custom software and their OSs must maintain compatibility to support those applications.

I/O Expansion Capabilities

The latest commercial computers use I/O options such as Fire wire (IEEE 1394) and USB. However, industrial computers usually rely on traditional serial and parallel communication methods, especially if they have or must support a touch screen interface.

Most commercial computers no longer have serial ports or PCI slots, but these features are still common on industrial computers that have to support multiple expansion needs. The vast majority of industrial computers also have serial ports (RS232, RS422 and RS485), which they need to interface with legacy equipment. In addition, they may need to support newer I/O expansion slots such as HD DisplayPort, multiple displays, Ethernet, USB Type 2.0 and 3.0, general purpose input/output (GPIO), PCI Express and M.2.

Summary

WinSystems, Inc. is a leading provider of industrial embedded computer systems. Our product lines include commercial off the shelf (COTS), modified COTS and custom-designed solutions. We also seek to be a technology partner with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and automation providers that need our embedded systems to make their applications work. Connect with one of our application engineers today to learn more about how we can help you embed success in your applications.

An Examination of the Graphics Engine and Display Controller Capabilities in the Apollo Lake Family of Low-Power SOCs

This document will detail the graphics and image processing capabilities present in the Apollo Lake family of low power SOCs. Intel’s Apollo Lake Atom system-on-chip (SOC) integrates the next generation of the Intel processor Core, Graphics, Memory Controller, and I/O interfaces. The graphics and image processing components of the Apollo Lake SOC are comprised of a 9th generation Intel graphics processor and display controller. The Gen9 LP graphics engine contains three groups (subslices) of eight execution units (EUs) each. The EUs are connected to the CPU cores and the System Agent using a ring topology that supports a 32 bit bi-directional data bus, with separate lines for request, snoop, and acknowledge. The ring attached System Agent provides access to the SOC’s DRAM memory management unit, the display controller, and other off-chip IO controllers such as PCIe.

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Quality is important to our business

because we value our customers. We strive to provide our customers with products and services which meet and even exceed their expectations. Our Quality Management System provides a framework for measuring and improving our performance to support us in our aim of total customer satisfaction.

Our internal procedures are reviewed regularly and are held in a Quality Manual that is made available to all employees. Every employees has a responsibility within their own area of work to help ensure that Quality is embedded within the whole of the company.